On the shape of the erythrocyte.
A model is postulated which attributes the distinctive biconcave shape of the human erythrocyte to a balance of forces acting on the membrane. The forces considered are electrostatic forces due to a charge distribution on the membrane, a hydrostatic pressure difference acting across the membrane, and forces arising from a constant tension in the membrane. A numerical study indicates that the postulated model will produce an equilibrium shape which is very similar to the observed shape of the human erythrocyte.
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological